Lawsuit accuses deputies at L.A. women's jail of sexual abuse, watching inmates shower

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A federal lawsuit filed on behalf of dozens of current and former inmates in Los Angeles County’s women’s jail claims male correctional officers watched them shower, harassed and groped them and retaliated when the alleged abuses were reported.The suit accuses deputies of taking advantage of women incarcerated at Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood.

The case comes amid renewed scrutiny of how the Sheriff’s Department’s handles abuse claims.Records reviewed by The Times show jail inmates have made nearly 600 allegations of sexual abuse or harassment against staff since 2021, but none have been referred to the L.A.

County district attorney’s office for prosecution.Brian Dunn, managing partner and lead civil rights attorney with the Cochran Firm, which brought the case on behalf of 38 women in late October, said in an interview that dozens of inmates shared “chilling” allegations of “brazen” sexual abuse and harassment.“It seemed to be happening with such frequency that it was like a practice....

This is something that has been accepted,” he said.“It’s heartbreaking for me to hear these women crying and the only thing you can do is sue.”The Sheriff’s Department said in a statement that, after learning about Dunn’s lawsuit, it “initiated a review of the claims to ensure that all appropriate investigative and administrative processes were followed.”“The safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of every individual in our custody remain our top priority,” the department added.

“We are committed to transparent operations, thorough investigations, and maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.”The civil complaint filed in the Central District of California says abuses occurred in the Lynwood jail’s administrative segregation unit, also known as “the hole.” The lawsuit claims women were often sent there for d...